Wrecking tool

ABSTRACT

A wrecking tool for piercing wall and ceiling surfaces and for enabling easy removal of sections thereof. The tool performs a number of functions, including piercing, chipping, prying, gouging, tearing, and also can be used as a lever for removing trim and for forcing open doors and windows.

United States Patent Clemens, Jr.

[ Nov. 25, 1975 WRECKING TOOL Richard W. Clemens, Jr., 9201 Wellington Court, Seabrook, Md. 20801 Filed: Oct. 31, 1974 Appl. No.: 519,564

Inventor:

U.S. Cl. 30/299; 7/14,3; 30/314; 294/19 R; 294/26 Int. Cl. B25B 3/00 Field of Search 294/2, 14, 17, 19 R, 24, 294/26, 61; 7/1 R, 8.1 R, 12, 14.1 R, 143; D8/88, 89, 98, 105; 114/221 R; 254/131; 30/299, 314

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1913 Hobbs 7/l4.3 X 11/1917 Smith et a1 7/8.1 R

1,562,154 ll/192S Erickson 7/8.1 R X 1,875,612 9/1932 Johnson 7/14.3 2,017,369 10/1935 McGhee... 294/19 R X 3,710,407 1/1973 Reid 7/8.l R 3,735,434 5/1973 Penberthy... 7/8.1 R Dl66,408 4/1952 Oake 294/26 X Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Smallwood, Hansen & Kettlestrings [57] ABSTRACT A wrecking tool for piercing wall and ceiling surfaces and for enabling easy removal of sections thereof. The tool performs a number of functions, including piercing, chipping, prying, gouging, tearing, and also can be used as a lever for removing trim and for forcing open doors and windows.

10 Claims,.3 Drawing Figures US. Patent N0v.25, 1975 3,921,288

WRECKING TOOL This invention relates to wrecking tools and more particularly to a wrecking tool that is particularly adapted for use by fire fighters.

Over the years, a number of wrecking tools and fire fighting tools have been developed. For example, the well-known I-Ialligan bar and Halligan hook have been widely used in the fire fighting field for removing lath and plaster from walls and ceilings, for removing door and window frames, for penetrating plywood and other ceiling board and for numerous other purposes. In addition, the pike-pole and the plaster hook have been widely used for similar purposes, and US. Pat. Nos. 179,127; 443,038; 676,961; 3,072,428 and Des. 153,776 describe a number of configurations for salvage hooks, pike-poles, firemans hooks and the like.

Although these existing tools haveserved adequately in the past, the increased strength and the change in characteristics of todays modern wall and ceiling ma terials has created a need for an improved tool capable of piercing these new materials and capable of rapidly removing these materials to provide quick access to the source of fires.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved wrecking tool that is particularly adapted for use by fire fighters.

Another object is to provide a wrecking tool which has the capability of quickly piercing and removing todays modern wall and ceiling materials.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a wrecking tool which is capable of piercing, chipping, prying, gouging, tearing and acting as a lever in providing quick and easy access to the source of fires.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a wrecking tool which can also be used as a quick means of advancing hose lines and equipment between floors by using the tool as a hoisting and lowering instrument.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a wrecking tool adapted for use in fire fighting whereby the tool can be used to enable forceable entry into buildings, to expose structural members, to provide for reach extension, topermit removal of trim, window and door jams, to enable ready removal of roofing surfaces, skylights, hatches, vent covers and thin metal sheeting. 7

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides a wrecking tool including a pole, a handle attached to one end of the pole, a head member attached to a second end of the pole, the head member embodying socket means for receiving the second end of the pole, a shank extending upwardly from the socket means and tapering to a pointed end, and a blade projecting outwardly from the shank. Preferably, the blade projects at an acute angle with respect to the lower portion of the shank.

The tool also includes upper and lower curved sur faces defining curved edges that extend from the blade in an upwardly curving manner to the shank. An upper projection extends from an upper surface of the blade and the upper projection defines an upper edge that runs from the upper surface of the blade to the shank. Similarly, a lower projection extends from a lower surface of the blade and defines a lower edge running from the lower surface of the blade to the shank. The thickness of the blade preferably increases with distance away from the shank and the blade defines a flat front edge. A cutting edge is defined on the blade by the flat front edge and the lower surface of the blade. Further,

the upper curved surfaces are continuous with the upper projection and the lower curved surfaces are continuous with the lower projection.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the head member of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of the head member.

With reference now to the drawings, wherein the ref-- erence characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. I a pole 10 made of wood, fiberglass or other similarly strong material. Attached to one end of the pole is a handle 12, which is preferably a D-handle large enough so that each leg 14, 16 and 18 thereof is large enough to be grasped completely by one hand. This permits as many as three men to simultaneously grasp the tool for increased strength.

A head member 20 is attached to a second end of pole 10. The head member includes socket means 22 for receiving the second end of pole l0, and fastening members 24, 26 are inserted through socket means 22 and through pole 10 for holding head member 20 onto the pole. A shank 28 extends upwardly from socket means 22 and tapers to a pointed end 30. A blade 32 projects outwardly from shank 28 and at an acute angle A with respect to the lower portion of the shank. The blade defines an upper surface 34 and a lower surface 36. In addition, the blade increases in thickness with distance away from shank 28, and the blade defines a flat front edge 38., which together with lower surface I 36, defines a cutting edge 40.

Upper curved surfaces 42, 44 cooperate with lower curved surfaces 46, 48 to define curved edges 50, 52 that extend from blade 32 in an upwardly curving manner to shank 28. The shank preferably defines a flat front surface 54, a flat back surface 56 that extends upwardly to pointed end 30, and flat side surfaces 58, 60. An upper projection 62 extends from upper surface 34 of blade 32, and the upper projection defines an upper edge 64 that runs from upper surface 34 to a location 66 on shank 28 just below pointed end 30. Similarly, a lower projection 68 extends from lower surface 36 of blade 32 and defines a lower edge 70 running from lower surface 36 to shank 28. Preferably, upper curved surfaces 42, 44 are continuous with upper projection 62 and lower curved surfaces 46, 48 are continuous with lower projection 68. Because it is frequently desirable to hang the tool from hooks or wall surfaces. projections 72, 74 extend from shank 28.

The tool described herein has many uses, and is particularly useful in fire fighting for enabling quick and relatively easy removal of wall and ceiling surfaces. For example, in removing material from a ceiling the tool is thrust upwardly through the ceiling material with pointed end 30 initiating the piercing action. Upper edge 64 acts as a fulcrum in spreading the material and in reducing drag as the tool is forced through the material. In addition, curved edges 50, 52 assist in cutting through the material and ease the entry of piercing end 30. The thrusting of point 30 and blade 32 through the material creates a large hole, and head is then moved forward with lower edge 70 acting as a runner along the top of the ceiling material. The tool is then pulled downwardly. and lower edge 70 acts as a fulcrum line to break through the material as the tool is withdrawn from the ceiling. A second large hole is thereby formed, or the downward force causes a large section of the ceiling material to be removed.

Blade 32 is increased in thickness as it extends away from shank 28 to provide increased strength, and front surface 38 is flat to permit the use of edge 76 as a fulcrum line when prying operations are performed with the front end of the blade. In addition, cutting edge 40 is preferably a chisel edge, that is an edge which has been sharpened to a knife edge and then filed. Such a chisel edge stays sharper longer than a true knife edge and upon impact does not gouge or mushroom.

The tool described herein is capable of performing many of the functions of standard boat hooks, Halligan hooks, Halligan bars, and pike-poles. In fact, this invention performs many of the same functions in a more efficient manner. For example, the standard pike-pole when used to remove wall or ceiling material creates a small slit when initially inserted. A quarter turn is then required to pull off the surface. The tool of this invention creates a much larger initial hole in the material and no turning is required to remove a large segment of the wall or ceiling surface. Furthermore, this invention permits ready removal of todays modern wall and ceiling materials which. in many cases, have been greatly increased in strength due to changes in the building codes.

The use of a large D-type handle 12 is preferred since it permits as many as three men to simultaneously grasp the handle to provide more piercing or pulling force.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described, and departures may be made from such details without departing from the principals of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

I claim:

1. A wrecking tool comprising:

a pole;

at head member attached to an end of said pole, said head member embodying means for holding said head member to said end of said pole;

a shank extending upwardly from said holding means and tapering to a pointed end;

a blade projecting outwardly from said shank and at an acute angle with respect to the lower portion of said shank, said blade defining upper and lower surfaces; and

upper and lower curved surfaces defining curved edges that extend from said blade in an upwardly curving manner to said shank.

2. A tool as in claim 1 further including an upper projection extending from the upper surface of said blade, said upper projection defining an upper edge running from the upper surface of said blade to said shank.

3. A tool as in claim 2 further including a lower projection extending from the lower surface of said blade and defining a lower edge running from the lower surface of said blade to said shank.

4. A tool as in claim 3 further including means extending from said shank for enabling said tool to be hung up.

5. A tool as in claim 3 wherein said upper curved surfaces are continuous with said upper projection and said lower curved surfaces are continuous with said lower projection.

6. A tool as in claim 1 wherein the thickness of said blade increases with distance away from saidshank, and wherein said blade defines a flat front surface.

7. A tool as in claim 6 wherein said blade defines a lower surface and wherein a cutting edge is defined on said blade by said front surface and said lower surface of said blade.

8. A tool as in claim 1 wherein said shank defines flat front, back and side surfaces and wherein said back surface extends upwardly to said pointed end.

9. A tool as in claim 1 further including a handle at tached to another end of said pole.

10. A wrecking tool as in claim 1 wherein said holding means include a socket for receiving said end of said pole. 

1. A wrecking tool comprising: a pole; a head member attached to an end of said pole, said head member embodying means for holding said head member to said end of said pole; a shank extending upwardly from said holding means and tapering to a pointed end; a blade projecting outwardly from said shank and at an acute angle with respect to the lower portion of said shank, said blade defining upper and lower surfaces; and upper and lower curved surfaces defining curved edges that extend from said blade in an upwardly curving manner to said shank.
 2. A tool as in claim 1 further including an upper projection extending from the upper surface of said blade, said upper projection defining an upper edge running from the upper surface of said blade to said shank.
 3. A tool as in claim 2 further including a lower projection extending from the lower surface of said blade and defining a lower edge running from the lower surface of said blade to said shank.
 4. A tool as in claim 3 further including means extending from said shank for enabling said tool to be hung up.
 5. A tool as in claim 3 wherein said upper curved surfaces are continuous with said upper projection and said lower curved surfaces are continuous with said lower projection.
 6. A tool as in claim 1 wherein the thickness of said blade increases with distAnce away from said shank, and wherein said blade defines a flat front surface.
 7. A tool as in claim 6 wherein said blade defines a lower surface and wherein a cutting edge is defined on said blade by said front surface and said lower surface of said blade.
 8. A tool as in claim 1 wherein said shank defines flat front, back and side surfaces and wherein said back surface extends upwardly to said pointed end.
 9. A tool as in claim 1 further including a handle attached to another end of said pole.
 10. A wrecking tool as in claim 1 wherein said holding means include a socket for receiving said end of said pole. 